Inexpensive Radiator I Need One.

[Loose Screw]

I need a cheap one just to move the vehicle around my property.
I don't know too much about radiators. My truck is automatic and I'm thinking the transmission cooler is attached to the front of the radiator. Whatever that it is that is not leaking. But I do see drops of coolant on the ground and on the bottom rail support.

Maybe I'll still use that external cooler if that's what it is or go right radiator into the new radiator if that what the threaded (2) holes on the right side of most radiators are for.

Anyway I'm looking at those Chinese radiators on Amazon that are under $200. Any of you guys usin anything like that? What's your recommendation.

And yes I one day I will get the one in it now recored.

TIA

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[1970 CST Short Wide]

Why not just rebuild now. It may not need to be re cored. A Good Rad shop will clean it out and seal any leak for about what you’d pay for one of those cheap junk ones
Just my 2c

[geezer#99]

Do you have a catch can for the coolant or just an overflow tube?

[RustyPile]

/\ /\ /\ /\

X2 what CST Short said

[AussieinNC]

I would have the original one repaired.

The fluid on the cross member may be from lack of overflow tube.
The trans cooler should be plumbed through the radiator then the cooler then back to the trans.
Perhaps the cooler was leaking water into the trans and it was bypassed. That slow leak from cooler fittings may be the cause of your water on the cross member. Put two screw in plugs in the radiator cooler ports and pressure test the system to identify where the leaks are coming from.

The Aftermarket ones seem to only last 12 months or so, especially if its aluminum...

[Loose Screw]

The overflow from the radiator goes into a rigged up washer fluid canister...

and yeah, I'm going to pressure test it before I go any further.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

I have one just like what you want, but shipping cost would be prohibited. It is in the Kansas City area.

George

[72SB]

assuming you do need a radiator, check your local chain auto part store as often they have lifetime warranty and their $ are generally lower for "store label" parts. Granted those kind of parts are not the best but returns for warranty are typically no hassle

[jumpsoffrock]

I just posted this in another thread yesterday:

Originally Posted by jumpsoffrock

Most GM radiators from 1967-1975-1980 from basically any GM vehicle, Cadillac, Camaro, C10, C30, Buick, Trans Am.....they all fit to a certain extent. But the inlet and outlets might be a little incorrect. But in general their exterior dimensions are very close.

Most are roughly 24-28" wide and 17" tall.

[Luke87gt]

I bought an Amazon cheapie 3-row for my 69 after the stock i6 radiator started leaking.

It looks to have good reviews but I haven’t installed it yet. We’ll see soon what $140 gets ya…

https://a.co/d/5yoa5D1

[jumpsoffrock]

on rock auto.com
SPECTRA PREMIUM CU162

26-1/4 in. x 17-1/4 in. Core;

price is $80

[Loose Screw]

Ok, I rented a pressure tester...
tomorrow should give me a better idea of where I'm at.
Thanks Guys!

[Wrenchbender Ret]

The Champion brand aluminum radiators are rugged & good. They are not expensive depending were you get it.

George

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by Wrenchbender Ret

The Champion brand aluminum radiators are rugged & good. They are not expensive depending were you get it.

George

I’ve used Champion in 2 of my trucks, they fit well and work great. No issues in my 68 now for many years.

[Loose Screw]

Originally Posted by Wrenchbender Ret

The Champion brand aluminum radiators are rugged & good. They are not expensive depending were you get it.

George

Yeah, between what you and Led Zeppelin posted I'll probably end up with a Champion. Still looking at a Duralast it's about 100 bux more though.

I did do an ~16 psi test and did get about a teaspoon of fluid on the bottom cross member in about 20 minutes.......

I still have ball joints/tie rod ends, and a whole lot of parking brake work to do besides messing with fuel rich.

I should of just stuck to garden gnomes and pink flamingos for yard art.......

[Dead Parrot]

If "moving it around on the property" is just a few minutes of running, I wouldn't replace the radiator. A teaspoon in 20 minutes isn't going to leak enough to matter for a two minute reposition drive. Put a 7lb cap on it and call it good until time for a new/rebuilt radiator.

Save the money, time and effort for other things on the 'to do' list.

[Smitty]

Champion replaced my radiator free when there was a leak where the core meets the radiator. I'm close enough that I was able to drive up there and swap it out instead of mailing it. Actually think that you may be able to send them a picture as an attachment in order to have them provide the service. All you have to do is call them.